Lesson 1: HTML Syntax

Overview

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. HTML is the language that has historically been used to create documents on the web. It is plain text, but includes a variety of codes or "tags" that define the structure of the document, and allow documents to include headings, paragraphs, images, links, lists, tables, and other features.

HTML has undergone various revisions over the years. Some tags have become deprecated, or old-fashioned, when new versions of HTML are developed. The latest version of HTML, and the version taught in the course, is HTML5 (see the earlier lesson on Web Standards for a refresher on the various versions of HTML).

Learner Outcomes

At the completion of this exercise:

• you will have a basic understanding of HTML syntax, including the difference between elements and attributes.

Activities

1. Look over the Common Tags sheet and carefully examine the common elements.
2. Referring to the Common Tags sheet, record your responses on paper to the following questions:
   • Which pair of tags marks the start and end of your HTML document?
   • What are the two main sections of an HTML document?
   • Which element serves as a container for all the visible content of a web page?
   • Which element is used to identify the main heading on a page?
   • Which element is used to add an image to a page?

Resources/Online Documents

• Common HTML Tags
• HTML5 Tag Reference from W3Schools
• HTML5 Draft Specification

All done?

After you have recorded your responses to the above activity, show your instructor your response before starting Lesson 2.